St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1887-04-29
4 Great Mass Meeting Protests Against
IT, Coercion Bill Now Pending
in Parliament.
Gov. McGill, Ex-Mayor 0Brien, of st.
Paul, Eugene M. Wilson, Rev.
John Conway,
Bishop Foss. Rev. NJ. D. Shutter, Col.
r. {. Benton and Rev. Nc
Golrick Speak.
Thtrtieth Anniversary of Plymouth
Church Meeting of the Po-
lice Commission.
COERCION DENOUNCED.
The Sentiments of the minneapolis
isaanhc ON Z he In a cd Hill.

The Sentiments of the minneapolis
People on the Hated Bill.
Minneapolis turned out ell masse last
hight to protest against the coercion Dill
cow pending in the English parliament.
The demonstration was remarkable one.
1t was composed not by any means totally
Of Irishmen, but of citizens OF all natlonall-
ties, and the expression OF Indignation
against the outrageous bill voiced
in the speeches and resolutions
adopted came from lberty-loving citizens
who, without distinction of nationality,
politics or station. united in protesting
against the tyranny. The meeting was pre-
ceded by a procession, which served the
double purpose of furnishing an outdoor
demonstration and an escort for Gov. Nc
Gill and the party OF distinguished citizens
Of St Paul who accompanied him. The
procession consisted of SidwelPS band, the
Hibernians and divisions l, and 3 of the
Ancient Order of Hibernians. Harmonic
hall had been filled to its utmost capacity
long before the arrival of the procession.
On the stage sat the following prominent
citizens:
Hon. E. NJ Wilson. Rev. james Meg olrick.
Col r. c. Benton, Hon. C. d. OBrien, Hon.
Z. \. Pillsbury, Rev. Robert Clark, Kew.
James OReiily, Rev. NJ. D. shutter, Rev.
John Conway, Bishop c. ID. Foss, A. n. Jor-
r j.
W. D. Washburn. T. S. King, j. c. Worreil.
j. j. McHale called the meeting to order
md requested Mayor Ames TO come forward
and act as temporary chairman. The men-
ton of the mayors name drew out round
of applause, but he had found it impossible
to be present.
GOV. MGIIL
was then introduced, and was cordially
greeted. He said:
1t is great honor TO be allowed to preside
over this meeting, and l thank you for it.
The coercion law now before the British par
lament has no friends in Minnesota, am
glad to say. The cause of the Irish people is
a great one, and it is only a question OF time
when it will prevail. The history
of Ireland has been full of tears
and sorrow, but the disposition is now to wipe
away those tears and give the people their
right. The people of Ireland ask the right
to make her laws and govern her, but the
England Tories tell them that they are not
able; but we know they are, tor II there is any
one thing that an Irishmau is capable of it is
of running the government. l believe that
under the leadership of Parnell, supple
mented by the aid of the great statesman,
William Gladstone, the Irish people will soon
regain their freedom.
J. J. McHale was elected secretary and
a committee was appointed to draw up res
olutions Seth Abbott, the father of the
Oh and sang La Marsailles," which was re-
ceived With thunders of applause.
c. d. O'BRIEN,
ex-mayor of st. Paul, was introduced. He
said:
No Irishman can refuse to speak at such
meeting, and therefore l am proud to stand
here. This occasion is notable one. Never
until now have we taken hand in the ac-
tions OF the English people, but things are
h-I,.ay hot IN
raise our voices in protest against the great
injustice. The crisis has now come, and it
remains to be seen whether we Will
be allowed to have any freedom in
ireland or not. If we are men
we will not be crushed out and we are men,
For years past the people OF ireland have
been denied the right to earn living, and
now the British parliament is trying to make
it a crime for the Irish people to ask Al
mighty God~te allow them to live. The
people there are afraid of the law, for they
are coming to the United States every day in
order to escape the tyranny of the English
government. lrishmen have done their duty
by this couutry-which has given them pro-
lection and furnished them homes-and now
II is right that the people Of the United States
should show their opinion Of the obnoxious
English voices in a thorough manner. If the
English government passes this coercion bill
they will only hasten the day that will make
the greatest lesson of an Englishman's life.
EUGENE NJ. WILSON.
We are here tonight to send out our
sympathy across the broad waters to suf-
fering people. 1t was only century ago
that we ourselves became free and our own
masters, and it is right that we send our
sympathy to Ireland. On top of its other out
RACES, the English government now proposes
TO suspend trial by jury, and to abolish the
habeas corpus right, thus going back to the
time when you would have Jefferies for q
judge and Titus Cakes for witness. All
that Ireland asks is the right to govern
herself and [ am glad to see that even Cam
ada is divided in regard to the land tenure law.
For the last 100 years the Irish people have
been growing poorer and poorer owing to the
land laws. The impression has gone out that
it was only Catholics who were down-trodden;
but this is not so, us many Protestant in
ireland has laid down his life in defense Of
Ireland's cause. 1t is against these oppres-
sions that the Irish are protesting, and
gainst which Gladstone is laboring.
REV. JOHN CONWAY.
We are here this evening to assist in ttkick-
ing the coercion bill into cooked hat" Co
ercion policy has been the system of the
British rulers followed up from time i'm
memorial. The Irish people have been made
slaves as far as English laws could make
them. The United States will aid Gladstone
now by giving a free assertion Of opinion in
regard to this coercion business.
BISHOP FOSS.
am glad to speak a word to show that am
in sympathy with this movement. While in
Europe some time ago / passed through Ire
land, and there was many signs of the dis
satisfaction which existed at British injus-
uce. The time is coming when the only form
OF government will lie for the people and by
the people. ! look for impression to be made
on the members of the house of parliament
by these meetings. Unless this act of coercion
be showed under by the opinion of the
self-governed people, the result must be dis
astrous to the people of Ireland. But have
hope that the English people will consider
we'll this matter before placing this coerciye
law upon the people Of ireland, as they must,
if they heed public opinion.
REV. NJ d. SHUTTER.
will only express my hearty sympathy
with this meeting. Before this question all
differences OF creed must be hushed. Things
that coerce all humanity come before all
creeds. L am not here as member
of any political '"party nor as a
chairman of any denomination, but am here
tonight as an American citizen to add my
voice to what has been said. After years of
crime and bluuder the English people are
trying to crown their stupidity by the great
est outrage ever perpetrated on any people,
and it calls for the condemnation of every
freedom-loving man under the heavens.
This will bring about what every Irishman
has so longed for-home rule-and my hope
tonight is that the government of Ireland
will soon be by and for the people.
COL. R.. c. BENTON:
do not need to tell you that my sympathy is
with you in this great matter. Everyone is
with you-the lawyers and the minister's the
Republicans and the Democrats, and the
orthodox and the heterodox. This coercion
bill does not even give man chance for his
life, as it refuses Irishmen the right to be
tried by a jury of his peers. Why is it the
English government refuses to give Irishmen
this right? l know what the Irish people are,
and know they should never be attacked by
coercive measures. l hope the grand old